I thought it was...good. It's got some not great but ok music in it that you can leave the theater singing. The cast is fantastic and the book scenes work very well which kind of remind you when you're watching one the twenty or so musical numbers, that this really doesn't need to be musicalized. Dan Lauria is so so good as the narrator and Erin Dilly makes the part that's obviously so associated with Melinda Dillon her own and has a beautiful song she gets to sing while doing it. And even though it's a small part, you gotta give props to the amazing Caroline O'Connor, who rightfully steals every scene she's in.
I think the biggest problem though is that this is a musical with not great music. For something so iconic as the film that everyone knows, if you're going to take us out of that particular story for a few minutes to sing, you need to make sure that music is on par with the story being told, which it's not.
Went tonight... DELIGHTFUL... Some tech glitches but so full of heart and sentimentality you leave with the same warm feeling you get from the film. INCREDIBLE cast. John Bolton is amazing as the Old Man Erin Dilly had me tear up with a power act two number. The score is fun and fits the show beautifully. I liked the score very much. Bought the CD which actually has some of the cut selections. A very enjoyable night with a stellar cast of Pros and very charming children... The Bloodhounds are adorable too. Short run should be longer...As the holiday season approaches I say GET TICKETS!
I don't know the movie, but this was like a Hallmark Card from the '40s that had been left out in the rain. The story was plodding and slightly unpleasant, and the music thin as gruel. I didn't find the father particularly appealing as a character, though John Bolton pulled out all the stops, and then some, to provide some laughs. He's a versatile performer. I liked Erin Dilly as well. I guess it's now become mandatory for any show to have a mother with small children sing a song about how quickly time passes. (I Remember Mama, Big). This one was as pallid as the rest of the score. I also think at ths date, we shouldn't be presented with a Chinese waiter mispronouncing "l"s. Also, a lyric about wishing for a wife who can cook.
Perhaps youngsters will enjoy it. But Elf would be a much better choice, not to mention Annie.
The Chinese waiters singing is directly from one of the most famous scenes in the film. It's iconic and you can't do A CHRISTMAS STORY and not have it in there.
"The Chinese waiters singing is directly from one of the most famous scenes in the film. It's iconic and you can't do A CHRISTMAS STORY and not have it in there."
Doesn't change the fact that it is still racist to use for entertainment. This isn't the 1950's.
To be fair, I haven't seen the actual production yet so I'll hold back on commenting too much more. Can't wait to see it, t's my favorite Christmas movie. Having said that, that scene in the movie version is the only part of the movie that was too "Breakfast at Tiffany's" for me.
Did you grow up watching it and clutching your pearls? When you were even more of a "kidonbroadway" did you tell the other kids that it's blatant racism and that you won't tolerate it?
"Did you grow up watching it and clutching your pearls? When you were even more of a "kidonbroadway" did you tell the other kids that it's blatant racism and that you won't tolerate it?"
Wow. It's no use trying to engage in a civil conversation with you.
You're absolutely right. I have no desire to engage civilly with people who display ridiculous faux-rage over things that make them think they're being superior to other people.